An Early Look at the Defense

Coach Ralph Friedgen gave an early sense of what Don Brown’s new-look defense will be like when he talked about the role of safety Kenny Tate.

Friedgen said Tate at times could serve as a hybrid nickel linebacker who can help with coverage but also rush the passer.

“It is hard to say who is going to start and who is not,” said Friedgen, adding that it depends on what Brown, the team's first-year defensive coordinator, wants to show at the start of the game.

Friedgen said a guy like Tate (6 feet 4, 225 pounds) is extremely valuable because of his versatility. He compared him a little bit to linebacker Adrian Moten in terms of pure versatility.

It figures to be an interesting defense to watch throughout the season, and you just wonder whether the depth at safety can somehow compensate for other deficiencies, particularly on the defensive line.